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This is such an Angelos thing, so can't say I am surprised in any aspect.Let's remember that Duquette has given out huge contracts before. (Manny $160m).I highly doubt the Orioles get Fielder regardless. This could simply be a ploy.

• Take a few risks in the international market including Cespedes• Build a scouting and development program second to none• Spend the max on Rule 4 draft picks and international signings covered by the new CBA• Use the newly improved scouting department and find prospects deemed worthy of spending the 100K limit in rounds 11 through 40• Sign some high risk high reward starting pitchers (Maholm, Bedard, Duke, etc) for around 1M base plus incentives with the knowledge that the team might eat some of that money

Sure, Prince Fielder would be fun to watch but he causes more problems than he solves. He can't play 2B, 3B, LF nor can he start or relieve. If you sign Fielder what do you do with Mark Reynolds, put him back at 3B? Then you have two average or worse defenders at the corners.

If the pitching had matured and we had won 85 games last year I would be driving the Prince Bus. My recommendation this year is that we pass this stop by.

I agree with pretty much everything you said Ofahn . But there are 2 things that get me thinking:

1. Is there going to be any big impact bats in the next off-season or two? Fielder is that impact bat and what if the Orioles young starters (Arrieta, Britton, Matusz, maybe Tillman) really turn on the lights and are productive enough to make this team compete. Fielder would then be just what the Orioles needed.

2. If the Orioles DID sign Fielder and then they went after a SP via FA or Trade, they could be significantly improved.

I am really just playing Devil's Advocate with you, as I also think the Orioles have more problems that Fielder simply cannot address. But you never know what will happen with the young SP.

All I can say is, Angelos is going to be Angelos and I don't think he will ever change.

Also the Orioles could technically sign Fielder and STILL do all the little things they need to improve (Not saying they would actually follow through with that though)

TuckerBlair89 wrote:Also the Orioles could technically sign Fielder and STILL do all the little things they need to improve (Not saying they would actually follow through with that though)

IF and I mean big IF Angelos was willing to pony up for Fielder and still PROPERLY finance the rebuilding of this organization then I would help carry Fielder's bags into the clubhouse. It's that IF that has me so worried.

TuckerBlair89 wrote:Also the Orioles could technically sign Fielder and STILL do all the little things they need to improve (Not saying they would actually follow through with that though)

IF and I mean big IF Angelos was willing to pony up for Fielder and still PROPERLY finance the rebuilding of this organization then I would help carry Fielder's bags into the clubhouse. It's that IF that has me so worried.

Totally agree. It's tough to really get a feeling on what he will allow with this club still. It's just frustrating to not know.Hopefully by now he realizes they need to do that stuff, but as of now I doubt it.

ofahn wrote:Sure, Prince Fielder would be fun to watch but he causes more problems than he solves. He can't play 2B, 3B, LF nor can he start or relieve. If you sign Fielder what do you do with Mark Reynolds, put him back at 3B? Then you have two average or worse defenders at the corners.

If the pitching had matured and we had won 85 games last year I would be driving the Prince Bus. My recommendation this year is that we pass this stop by.

I think Reynolds slides to DH or could be shopped for pitching.

Reynolds back at 3B is alarming. His defense went from poor to abysmal last year and it's hard to understand why. It's not age, it's not that he's fat and slow. Is there any chance that some coaching up could make Reynolds playable there again? Is it possible it was a slump?

ofahn wrote:Sure, Prince Fielder would be fun to watch but he causes more problems than he solves. He can't play 2B, 3B, LF nor can he start or relieve. If you sign Fielder what do you do with Mark Reynolds, put him back at 3B? Then you have two average or worse defenders at the corners.

If the pitching had matured and we had won 85 games last year I would be driving the Prince Bus. My recommendation this year is that we pass this stop by.

I think Reynolds slides to DH or could be shopped for pitching.

Reynolds back at 3B is alarming. His defense went from poor to abysmal last year and it's hard to understand why. It's not age, it's not that he's fat and slow. Is there any chance that some coaching up could make Reynolds playable there again? Is it possible it was a slump?

I think Reynolds at 3B next season is fine. I really think his Defense is fixable with some hard work, coaching, and a little mechanics change

Reynolds has already gone on record that he doesn't want to DH and that such a move could "hurt" his production. I'm guessing that what he's worried about hurting is market value. Power hitting 1B or 3B are worth a lot more than DHs.

I am so sick of anyone that thinks going after one of the best players in baseball is a bad idea. Prince is a proven player and the money that he would get would be worth it and make us credible for free agents for years to come. If case everyone has not noticed, these 1-2 filler players that are past their prime do not woioles to be work!!! We have the money and this town needs the Orioles to be competative or we will lose a another generation of fans. Angelos has the money and this town has the love for the team to show up if we get a reason to. W e can sustain a 100 mill+ payroll,.

Prince contract: 6 years 140 million is reasonable enough considering what else we have put our money into.

vlad-8 millionroberts- 4y 40 millgregg- 2y 12 millgonzalez-2y 12 mill

that is 30 million last year that we got next to nothing out of

Put your money into proven commodity. Hes is a top 5 power hitter in the game and will pepper the warehouse.

mthompson wrote:I am so sick of anyone that thinks going after one of the best players in baseball is a bad idea. Prince is a proven player and the money that he would get would be worth it and make us credible for free agents for years to come. If case everyone has not noticed, these 1-2 filler players that are past their prime do not woioles to be work!!! We have the money and this town needs the Orioles to be competative or we will lose a another generation of fans. Angelos has the money and this town has the love for the team to show up if we get a reason to. W e can sustain a 100 mill+ payroll,.

Prince contract: 6 years 140 million is reasonable enough considering what else we have put our money into.

vlad-8 millionroberts- 4y 40 millgregg- 2y 12 millgonzalez-2y 12 mill

that is 30 million last year that we got next to nothing out of

Put your money into proven commodity. Hes is a top 5 power hitter in the game and will pepper the warehouse.

......and all of this solves the question of filling the holes at 2B, 3B, LF, SP, and RP how?

Last edited by ofahn on December 5th, 2011, 5:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Matt P wrote:If they sign Fielder this off season and sign a true #1 pitcher next off season the team could actually be competitive for a very long time as long as they are able to extend Jones and Wieters.

The question stands. How would those signings fill the holes at 2B, 3B, LF, RP, and the other two holes at SP?